The Grand Obstructionists Party: Good for Theatre, Bad for America

As a self-proclaimed maverick and moderate conservative, John McCain won the Republican presidential nomination because of his supposed appeal to moderate voters. Even though this strategy was jeopardized the moment his running mate opened her mouth and winked at America for the first time, McCain’s platform included stances that were controversial among the conservative base, including a health care plan that resembles the one signed into law this week.

It would be assumed that someone with moderate values would be engaged in bipartisanship, but when Mr. McCain realized that his central stance jeopardizes his Senate Seat, he knew he had to return to the status quo. "There will be no cooperation for the rest of the year… They have poisoned the well in what they've done and how they've done it." This Maverick learned his lesson from the best of the best – never leave your wing man.

One might ask if McCain should retain his rank of Maverick if he’s pandering to party needs, but the Republicans, bolstered by the Tea Partiers, have become a party of mavericks. Merriam-Webster defines the term as ”an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party.” Since the GOP (Grand Obstructionist Party) leads an “independent” mob of individuals against the “Evil Empire,” McCain’s title holds clout.

And I can’t think of a better way for McCain to promote this position than joining forces with the infamous rogue revolutionary herself, Sarah Palin. Despite the fact that McCain is running against one of her beloved Tea Partiers J.D. Hayworth, she believes the party needs "statesmen and heroes like John McCain."

One has to wonder if this is an indication that Ms. Palin has completed her institutionalization into the world of politics. When one considers the controversial campaign fallout between McCain and Palin publicized in her best-selling book "Going Rogue" combined with Hayworth's credentials as an ideal Tea Party representative, it seems suspicious to say the least that Palin pledged her power and influence to McCain. I wonder who scratched Sarah's back and made her an offer she couldn't refuse.

Regardless of the outcome, this is just another painful example of the polarization of this nation. When John McCain, a brilliant man but poor politician, is forced to sell out because his values are too moderate, there definitely is a problem.

But with McCain and his fellow Republican Senators pledging to oppose anything and everything coming from the left, what are the Democrats to do? Senator Frank Lautenberg wants to make a spectacle of it best enjoyed with heavily buttered popcorn and a cola. The Senator is pushing for anti-filibuster legislation dubbed the Mr. Smith Filibuster Bill, named after the Oscar winning 1939 classic "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" which portrays a politician killing time on the senate floor by reading allowed the phonebook or vintage literature like "Moby Dick."

Essentially, the bill allows for obstruction through a filibuster only when someone actively is on the floor debating an issue. This ensures that thought provoking discussion is actually taking place by creating transparency and allowing the American people to hear the side of the minority. If the minority wishes to use the filibuster to kill a bill altogether, then they will need to engage in various time wasting techniques in front of the American people, allowing the public to judge whether the arguments are in good faith or simply an obstructive tactic used to inhibit the legislative process. This legislation will create incredible political theatre and hold the minority's feet to the fire.




If John McCain doesn't want to cooperate for the sake salvaging of his political career, lets at least ensure that either some productive discourse occurs or reveal the obstructionist sham for the mockery of our system that it is.